Singapore – last stop on my train adventure

Singapore, the last stop on my trip from London to Singapore by train. It has been an epic journey and the last leg of my trip another legendary train journey. The Jungle Railway from Kota Bharu to Singapore Woodlands. I stayed a few days longer in Kota Bharu than planned, so on Monday evening I had to be in Singapore to be on time for my flight the day after. I wasn’t off to a good start, the guesthouse owner drove me at five in the morning to the train station for a massively inflated price. At the station I intended to buy the ticket (as told by the guesthouse owner) to Singapore. The unexpected answer of the clerk was; no more tickets today. I tried my luck anyway and hopped on the train departing at 6:20 without a ticket. The ticket on board cost me around 25$ including a fine for not having a ticket, considering the distance still very cheap.

The train ride was uneventful but with interesting and changing scenery passing by. In the beginning to about half of the way the train ran through small towns, lush green jungle and karst mountains. Every now and then we stopped at a station for a drink and some food. Ourtrain arrived on time in Woodlands at midnight. Immigration at this time was fast without any waiting. A taxi took me to the City Backpackers on HongKong road just off the famous Clark Quay. The hostel was relatively empty, but then again Singapore isn’t the best place for a backpacker as it is expensive and has more on offer for business people.

Walking around the streets I discovered a few new buildings that weren’t there three years ago. Mostly it is still the same; countless skyscrapers, office buildings, shops, malls, clean, fines for every action,… In the evening I went to the Garden by the Bay, which is a new park that had been built behind Marina Bay Sands. The park features iron trees with natural greenery growing on it. To of the tree tops are connected with a walkway. Every night at around seven tourist and locals gather to see the light and music show in the garden. I like this new addition to Singapore and typically it is all men made. Singapore is in some ways ‘just’ a very clean version of China – but a bit more.

My last day was great. We went to Sentosa Island exploring the beaches and taking pictures at the Southern most point of South-East-Asia (mainland). Further on the list was the big Merlion on Sentosa, Canning Park near Clark Quay and a nice restaurant near our hostel. Brilliant last day and me a little sad to leave. It has been an amazing trip and now it is time to take the plane to fly back home.